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Let’s Talk About Epidiolex

Today was a big day in the world of cannabis. The first ever plant-based pharmaceutical drug made from cannabis rich in cannabidiol (CBD), Epidiolex, was scheduled by the DEA. You’d think it would be scheduled as a II or III because “marijuana” is schedule I (no medical value with high potential for abuse/federally illegal). Not the case. Epidiolex was scheduled as level V the lowest possible schedule – least restrictive – which legitimizes the proven health benefits of CBD and its low potential for abuse. To give you a comparison, Epidiolex is in the same category as cough syrup with small amounts of codeine and yes, it requires a prescription. The FDA approved the drug in June for two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) and Dravet Syndrome. It is possible that doctors will write prescriptions “off-label” for other epilepsy conditions that can benefit from CBD.

There is a lot of confusion surrounding this topic so we wanted to clarify a few things for you. As we learn more we will update this article.  First, this doesn’t change anything for those of you who are using whole plant botanical extracts made from industrial hemp. The molecule CBD did not get scheduled today, only the drug Epidiolex. This motion by the DEA does allow for future FDA approved cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals as long as the THC limit is less than 0.1%.  CBD did not get patented, you can’t patent a plant. CBD is not illegal if you are following your state laws, plus we have the added protection from the Farm Bill and Omnibus Bill from federal prosecution. Accessing CBD is a personal decision and you should make the best decisions to improve the quality of life for you or your loved one.

Currently, there are synthetic (man-made) forms of cannabis pharmaceuticals Cesamet and Marinol on the market which are scheduled as II and III and are prescribed to chemotherapy patients with vomiting and severe nausea. These drugs are THC based, not high in CBD. If you live in a medical or recreational cannabis state you can access THC products under state laws, although it is still federally illegal with “marijuana” as schedule I.

Having Epidiolex on the market is a move in the right direction because the US government clearly recognizes the medicinal benefits of cannabis. FDA approval also means insurance companies should cover the cost because it is expected to be pretty pricey. If they don’t (and you may need to fight for coverage)this may turn into an unaffordable option.

Fun Fact:
Did you know cannabis was available as a pharmaceutical drug in the US until 1947? Then reefer madness happened and the public was largely misinformed. We are thrilled cannabis is getting her positive reputation back!

Did you know:
We are conducting the largest observational cannabis study in the US in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University. In our epilepsy population, the average dose of CBD is 2mg/kg (the range is 7mg CBD-600mg per day). The starting dose of Epidiolex is 5mg/kg. Their studies titrated participants up to 20mg/kg or higher.  It is really important to know and discuss this huge variance with your doctor.

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Story of Inspiration – Meet Brandi

What does Realm of Caring mean to you?

Brandi:  I love the support and transparency. It’s a real deal community. I once called a listed practitioner and received [great] advice. I give every month 🙂

Tell us your story.

My name is Brandi, I am 46 years old, I am happily married with 3 sons and 2 grandsons. I am a personal trainer and nutrition coach. My fibromyalgia was triggered 8 years ago and came in the sudden onset of extreme fatigue and food allergies. We quickly determined I could no longer eat gluten, and then eventually soy. I have been a clean eater for over 10 years and in excellent physical shape so this was surprising. I now know that all my life I have had pain, the pain was my normal. It steadily increased to the point that I could barely move in the evenings.

I am not comfortable with prescription medications and last year I turned my self-study research to not only anti-inflammatory eating such as Keto or low-carb, higher healthy fats, but also to CBD. I developed anxiety in 2017. This was confusing since it mostly hit me when I was exhausted and trying to sleep or when I was very happy, like when I am hiking or with family.

CW Hemp was the third oil I tried. It was so confusing to find a quality oil that had been lab tested for not only impurities and toxins but also to prove that it contained CBD! Since I have chronic pain, I went straight for the highest strength, Everyday Advanced. I take one full dropper morning and night and occasionally a 35 mg capsule on a hard day. It is like magic! My anxiety is a rare occurrence now and the pain went from a daily 8/10 to most days being around a 2! I have tons of energy and I just feel great! I only strength train 3x a week for 45 min, I do EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques/Tapping)  when needed, take walks with my clients and make sure I have time for peace and quiet and I am learning the acoustic guitar.

CW Hemp has changed my life. I went without it for 2 doses on accident and paid the price. Thank you for this product, your diligence and your caring for your fellow humans. This little oil allows me to get up every day at 4 am and train my clients til 3 pm on most days and still play with my grandsons!

I spent my 46th bday in the canyon on a 4-day intense hike.
I am a wife, mom, grandma, and coach.
All because of my clean diet of high fat, low-carb, moderate protein,
no grains, and other inflammatory foods,
and my CWhemp…
There is life with fibromyalgia!! 
Go live it!

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We Were Recently Featured on Dateline

https://www.nbcnews.com/widget/video-embed/1237046851647

Technical issue with the audio. Link to full video here: https://bit.ly/2J5BHfk

“I saw life….” Watch as Former NFL Player, Eugene Monroe, describes his visit to Realm of Caring headquarters in Colorado Springs in his recent interview with Dateline NBC and their feature story “Growing Hope”. 

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Client Spotlight

Client Spotlight: Ciara

Miss Ciara has had seizure’s since birth, she has a CP diagnosis, a seizure disorder, microcepholoptomy and recently was re-diagnosed with LGS – Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome… we have faced challenges since the beginning and given no hope or encouragement of healing they just painted a glim picture… But I told them her life will be what we make of it & I am doing my best to give her the best life she can have with the challenges we face. When I heard about the Marijuana – CBD- Hemp Oils helping with seizures, I was excited and filled with hope, especially after reading testimony after testimony of it working for all these kids just like my Ciara… Since the first dose, the first day I have been seeing a huge reduction of seizures, like almost obsolete! Seen an increase in her keeping her eyes open, seeing her happier and laughing. Seeing her kick her legs with excitement. It is a true God given gift what God has given us in this plant. It’s time to debunk the myths, time to end the prohibition on Marijuana…. for my Ciara, and for all those like her & others facing/dealing with other situations in their lives. I am thankful for this CW Everyday Advanced, it is the miracle we have been waiting a lifetime for.

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Client Spotlight: Patricia

At the urging of my oldest daughter, I purchased Charlotte’s Web 1 oz, 200mg bottle of hemp oil. When I was 28 (1988), I came down with CFIDS/Fibromyalgia. The first 7 years I was bedridden. I slowly improved, but I’ve never enjoyed good health since then. I stopped driving about 5-6 years ago due to severe brain fog. Bodily pain varies; what afflicted me most has been frequent migraines, severe fatigue, a definite feeling of malaise, light and sound sensitivity (so bad I had to quit going to church and other functions); the list goes on and on. Due to some swelling, I couldn’t walk from the pain for over 2 years. On ‘good days’ I’d try to go for nightly walks but usually had to turn back after just walking past 3 or 4 houses. It wasn’t fun; living in the dark and trying to find fulfillment doing basically nothing. I started taking the hemp oil six days ago: half a dropper full twice daily. I cannot even begin to tell you the improvement I’ve seen in that short time!! I feel mentally alert again. I no longer have that deathly morbid fatigue. My mood is …dare I say it… almost happy! Things that I had to force myself to do I now do naturally and without thought. And best of all….I have taken 1 mile walks every day since taking it with absolutely no problem!!!!! Smiling, no pain, no fatigue, for the first time in many years!! No way could any placebo effect cause this. I have tried so many things with sometimes disastrous results, and to tell the truth, had resigned myself to a lifetime of misery…It is awesome feeling like my old self after over 28 years.

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Client Spotlight

Client Spotlight: Hyrum

Hyrum used to have 15 or more seizures a day. Doctors tried more than 10 pharmaceuticals to try to get them to stop. Sometimes he was on up to 6 meds at a time, that made little difference to his seizure control. We were at a dead end. We just had to live with watching him seize multiple times a day, every day.

In October 2014, Hyrum had so many back to back seizures that he had to be placed in an induced coma to give his brain some rest before it just completely shut down. He was in the hospital for 3 months.

That’s when Hyrum’s mom decided enough was enough. She consulted with Hyrum’s neurologist and he helped her with information and dosing of CBD oil.

Today, Hyrum has only had 2 seizures in 3 years. He has been weened off most of his pharmaceutical drugs and he has come a long way from being so lethargic from the combination of medicines and uncontrollable seizures that he couldn’t hold his head on his own or stay awake for more than 2 hours at a time. Today Hyrum rarely takes naps and is happy, attentive, and very socially interactive. He is learning how to use a communication tablet and enjoys going to school.

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Client Spotlight

Client Spotlight: Jeremy

I have been diagnosed with PPPD (Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness), PTSD, high blood pressure, Diabetes Type 2, and high LDL and Triglycerides. I have lived with migraines and severe dizziness 24/7 since 2011 and have suffered from the migraines as long as 2005. I was prescribed twelve different antidepressants and antipsychotics and they all made me extremely suicidal and depressed. I was out of ideas and was ready to call it quits.
My doctor, neurologist, and two psychiatrists recommended I check out CBD oil for help. I started doing research and about 2 months went by before I tried contacting Realm of Caring. They were very friendly and helpful through the entire process of me asking questions, etc. After about 2 months on Charlotte’s Web Everyday Advanced CBD Oil, I began to realize that my horrible thoughts were going away. I have been on CBD since July of this year and can now laugh again and have almost zero thoughts of suicide anymore. For someone who lived with the thoughts every single day of his life since he was very little, this is a wonderful change. My blood pressure checks out perfect every time I visit the doctor now. My blood sugars are easier to control.
The only things left that I struggle with the high LDL/Triglycerides and the dizziness, which is extremely bad, but that’s MUCH better than where I was just a few months ago. It’s been worth it to me and my family and friends. I’m so glad that I decided to give this a try!

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Client Spotlight

Client Spotlight: Chris

I tried several brands of oils and now I buy Elixinol only because of consistent quality. I had issues from one bottle to the next from competitors and Elixinol has been consistent and excellent for my usage.

I first bought the oil to combat stress, as drugs have failed me or worsened my condition. Anxiety feels physically painful at the extreme; I now lead a much calmer, peaceful existence with absolutely no mood impairment or cover up. Elixinol works nearly instantly when administrated under my tongue.

Here’s a list of results thus far:

  • At 63, I wear stronger glasses each year. I have been using Elixinol maybe 3 months, now on 3600 strength. When I spoke with a doctor on the phone, he asked about eyesight which is driving me nuts. He suggested I get last year’s glasses. I am now using a prescription from April 2014.
  • I have some rosacea on my very fair skin, topical application has reduced size and redness, continuing use. I also have shingles on lower back, and the pain is gone, the length of breakout is reduced by about half and the blistering was gone within hours!
  • As to anxiety? I have woken up nightly and in the A.M. for about 5 years with painful heart pounding, gasping for breath in terror seemingly for little reason. I been able to discontinue a prescription medication- 1 down, 2 now gradually decreasing strength. Depression has lifted. I wake up fine, and am returning to a noticeably happier person; my entire family has noticed.
  • Just yesterday I ate too much sugar (danged holidays), last night the acid was burning (pretty agonizing feeling) my throat, and I have no problems with that in my normal diet. About 1/2 dropper-full of 3600 and it was gone. I’m a tad tired from sugar poisoning but no lasting gastrointestinal effects. Although I’m fairly careful, I once did take prescription drugs for this- genetically this acid reflux caused gastro/esophageal cancer in my father and grandfather. I am fortunate that my diet has helped as long as I follow it – but it was Elixinol that settled it last night, nothing else has EVER done it- prescription or over the counter.
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Client Spotlight

Client Spotlight: May

She was diagnosed with Generalized Idiopathic Epilepsy at the young age of 4. When we first started Charlotte’s Web, she was having approximately 6 episodes a day of varying seizures. She was not responding to various pharmaceuticals with full control; they all affected her personality, as well as the seizures, turned her into a different person.

I am thrilled to say we are approaching a full year since a tonic or tonic-clonic seizure!! We just went for an extended EEG to see if her smaller ones that are harder to detect are still occurring. We were accepted into the Realm Cares Financial Aid program but we already know this is going to have a huge impact for us.

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Client Spotlight

Client Spotlight: Wesley

“My son who is nine with Autism has been taking your oil for three weeks now. The results have been amazing. Thank you for giving us back our life. Especially HIS.”
-Debra and Wesley

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z74bwojdDzI]